Free The Endangered by S. L. Eaves Page A

humans are not part of this. Not part of who you are now.”
    “It’s not that easy.”
    “Don’t you get it, Lori? You are the threat.”
    The car pulls to the curb.
    “Go to Catch.”
    A white card appears from his cloak, draping loosely off his wrists. “Dusk, tomorrow.” His long nails extend the length of the card.
    I gingerly accept it, risking one last glimpse at his startling physique, the sheer white skin, the sinister smile, the absence of God in his eyes.
    I exit the car and watch the taillights as it vanishes down the street. We had simply circled the block.
    “Now there’s a guy who knows how to make an impression.”
    The card has the name and address of a gym in Hell’s Kitchen.
    “Strange…”
    ***
    I arrive at the gym just after sunset. Catch hadn’t been surprised when I recounted my car ride. He’d told me to go alone and to trust Adrian. A hard feat, but I didn’t see I had much choice in the matter.
    No sign of Adrian. I take a seat on the metal bleachers surrounding a boxing ring. A handful of people watch with mild interest as two bloody boxers go at it in the ring; their coaches yell enthusiastically from the corners, seemingly the only ones excited over the match.
    Sufficiently distracted, I don’t even notice Adrian till he’s by my side, cloaked like before, hood pulled down over his brow. He observes the fight with feigned interest, not averting his gaze.
    “You’ll leave the States tomorrow after sunset. Catch will take you to a mansion outside London which serves as a base camp. Everyone involved in the war resides there when not out on assignment. There you’ll learn from them and you’ll work with them. They are your allies. Your only allies.
    “As I’m sure Catch explained, our numbers are few. Not intentionally so. The war has demanded we re-populate. However, this does not mean we are any less selective about who we recruit.”
    “Look, I’m really sorry about the fire. Tragic, truly. But if this leads to you telling me I’m privileged, save it.”
    Adrian shakes his head.
    “As I was saying…you will receive training of the highest caliber and hopefully will find the answers you seek.”
    “Why me, Adrian?”
    “There are things which cannot be told. Things that must be understood.”
    He avoids making eye contact.
    “Fine. I’m not protesting. It is hard to play a ghost.”
    “I’m glad for your change of heart.”
    “I want to go; I’m just not trusting of your motives for sending me.”
    “That’s completely fine. I’m not asking for your trust; I’m asking for your obedience.”
    “I’m beginning to realize that it’s too painful to stay here, to keep up this charade.”
    He gives a slight nod.
    “A change of scenery would serve me well right about now.”
    Adrian regards me with that chilling thin-lipped smile. I turn my attention to the ring and grimace as the bloodier of the two contenders takes a hard left to the jaw and falls to the ground.
    “You are wondering why I met you here?”
    I sigh. The thought of a fresh start weighs on my mind.
    “No, but I feel a metaphor coming on.”
    Adrian gives a dry scoff.
    “Fighting is one consistency that, as long as there is life on this planet, will never change. Motives, sure, but there is always something to fight for. I love to come to these dives and watch the fights; it’s where I do my best thinking.”
    “Some meditate in church, others…”
    “One night years ago, I was so moved by a fighter, by his skill, his determination, I sought him out after his match. He was sitting at the pub across the street. I introduced myself as a fan and bought a round of beer. While we sat there conversing, a man came over to congratulate him on a good fight. This man took one look at the fighter’s bloody knuckles and commented ‘No gloves tonight?’ And you know what the fighter replied?”
    I shrug.
    “‘I just need to feel it sometimes, you know?’ The man nodded as if he understood. Maybe he